Good post! Got to add Maria Bethania and Gal Costs (especially their duet on Sonhu Meu), Caetano Veloso, and Toquinho (awesome acoustic guitar artistry). And, for true "pop" with flair, Daniela Mercury can be a lot of fun to listen to, even more fun to dance to, and a LOT more fun to watch in concert.
"Saudage" and the music of Brazil.
In spite of the frequent disappointment expressed here about the state of contemporary American jazz and pop, there are countries around the world, Brazil in particular, where creative music thrives. Brazil, as anyone who has spent anytime there knows, is a very sexy and soulful place where music takes a much more prominent role in the life of the average person than it does here in America. "Pop" music in Brazil has always had a level of sophistication almost unheard of in American pop. And man is it fun! Most American music lovers have at least some experience with the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim; other Brazilian personal favorites include: Vocalist Ellis Regina, soulfulness personified. If "Fascinacao" ("Fascination") from her recording "Personalidade" doesn't move you, have your vitals checked. Milton Nascimento, if only American pop where one-half this hip. "Yaurete", "Miltons". And for the really far out, multiinstrumentalist/composer Hermeto Pascoal; revered by giants such as Miles and Shorter has recorded some of the most creative and interesting boundary shattering stuff you will ever hear. Care to add to the list?